Hunter fined $15K for hitting woman with pellet during wild turkey hunt

A hunter has been fined $15,000 for hitting a woman standing near her house with a stray pellet during a wild turkey hunt last spring near Huntsville. (File)

A hunter has been fined $15,000 for hitting a woman standing near her house with a stray pellet during a wild turkey hunt last spring near Haliburton. Ont.

Gordon Madill of Roseneath, Ont., was found guilty of carelessly discharging a firearm while hunting, in addition to numerous wild turkey hunting offences. He also received a 10-year hunting licence suspension.

“Madill must also complete the Ontario hunter education course and the Canadian firearms safety course before obtaining another hunting licence,” the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release Friday.

The court heard that on May 16, Madill was turkey hunting on a property near the town of Gooderham.

“He discharged his shotgun at a wild turkey and the pellets hit a nearby resident standing beside her house,” the release said.

“The individual was not injured. Further investigation by conservation officers revealed numerous other offences, including hunting turkeys without a licence and hunting within 400 metres of bait on multiple dates.”

A ministry canine unit was used during the investigation to retrieve key evidence resulting in a total of 12 charges being laid.

Justice of the Peace Herbert Radtke heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay on Oct. 17.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.